Bond reduction denied for woman charged with assault, kidnapping

TUPELO – A bond reduction was denied for one of the two suspects charged in assaulting a woman in Baldwyn and setting her on fire last September.
Cherie Clark, 40, of Baldwyn, had her bond set at $500,000 for charges of kidnapping and aggravated assault.
The charges stem from an incident in which a 27-year-old woman showed up severely burned at a Baldwyn area residence. She told authorities she had been beaten, bound, set on fire and left for dead in the woods.
Clark asked Justice Court Judge Sadie Holland to reduce the bond amount to $50,000 so she has a chance to bond out of jail. Clark said she would follow any stipulation set forward by the court if the bond is reduced.
Greg White, a Clark friend, testified that she could stay with him and his family in Baldwyn if the bond were reduced. White said he would make sure she followed any court stipulations and report for all court appearances.
James Moore, Lee County prosecutor, asked that the bond reduction be denied due to the heinous nature of the allegations and because Clark has family ties out of state, making her a possible flight risk.
Holland denied the bond because of the nature of the charges.
Clark has been in the Lee County Adult Jail since her initial arrest Sept. 15.
The other suspect, Christopher Mink, 43, of Baldwyn, is charged with aggravated assault, kidnapping and arson. He is still in the Lee County Adult Jail, his bond set at $1 million.
jb.clark@journalinc.com